"A century ago American chestnut trees dominated the eastern woodlands from Georgia to Maine. Growing straight and tall they were prized for timber. Wildlife depended on the nuts they provided every year.

People ate the chestnuts, too, scooping them up by the sackful every Fall. Then came an exotic blight accidentally introduced from Asia and the species was virtually wiped out.

That's why scientists are excited by a recent find in western Maine, a record-breaking find that is raising their hopes for the future."

Susan Sharon reports for Maine Public Broadasting Network December 3, 2015. [2]